The Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard is built from the same premium keyswitch technology that Apple used in its original Apple Extended Keyboard, widely viewed as the best keyboard Apple ever made.

Was sagen unabhängige Dritte zum Traum eines jeden Typisten?

The keys themselves have superb tactile feedback… hence the name Tactile Pro. This feedback is made possible due to the use of high quality Alps mechanical key switches. Although I have no prior experience with Apple keyboards, the Tactile Pro is supposed to be as great as the original Apple Extended Keyboards. All I can say is that this keyboard feels great to touch type on. It reminds me of the old IBM keyboards in the computer lab when I was in college. I actually feel like I’m typing faster and more accurately when I’m here at home than when I’m at work using my IBM Intellistation keyboard. There’s definitely a crisper and more precise feel to it.

Apple Extended Keyboard

It’s difficult to put into words the difference between the two as far as the feel. The sound is different as well. It still has a clickity sound, but it’s not a click-clock sound like the original. The benefit is that the Extended II doesn’t sound quite as loud as the original Extended.

Don’t get me wrong, the Extended II, even with these changes, is still plenty satisfying to type on. Some even argue the Extended II is better than the original.

You’ll especially take notice that it’s not just your average, run-of-the-mill, grab it off the shelf at Wal-Mart for $5 keyboard. No sir, this is a keyboard that will always have it’s place in Mac history.

This keyboard is a favorite due to the tactile feel and that unmistakable sound, which comes from the mechanically driven Alps key switches it uses. Keyboards such as the Extended and others that use Alps key switches are a lot like the old IBM Model M keyboards that came with PS/2 computers „back in the day“. The main difference is that IBM’s ‚boards used buckling-spring technology where an actual spring was used to produce the tactile feel as well as the click-clack sound.

Unlike most of today’s keyboards, when you type on these keyboards (whether you use an Apple Extended, and IBM Model M, or ones like them) you know without a doubt by the feel and the click of each key that you successfully hit that key.